Maritime services firm Malin Renewables has secured a £1-million contract to supply a 50-tonne wave energy converter in Scotland, a global hub for renewable innovation.
Malin was selected by AWS Ocean Energy to build the half-scale Archimedes Waveswing power generator for offshore wave-energy production. The Archimedes Waveswing project is backed by the publicly funded Wave Energy Scotland’s Novel Wave Energy Converter initiative.
The structure has been designed by AWS Ocean Energy in Inverness and is due to be made by Malin Renewables in Renfrew.
The submerged structure resembles an oversized buoy and converts the motion of waves into electricity. The test device will allow the design to be trialled and provide engineers with data to create a full-size model.
The first partial-scale converter will work to verify the concept to enable grid-scale and microgrid-scale versions.
Malin is opening a Scottish marine technology park near Old Kilpatrick in West Dunbartonshire with construction starting in January.
Simon Grey, AWS CEO, said he hoped future versions of the Waveswing could be built at the technology park.
Grey said: “We are delighted to have appointed Malin for this critical contract. We are really excited by the opportunity presented by Malin’s Marine Technology Park and look forward to seeing future generations of Waveswing built there.”
Malin Marine director Ben Sharples said: “This project enables the team to utilise their expertise in hydraulics, electrical power, air systems, pressure vessels and mooring, delivering an integral piece of equipment for the wave energy sector.
“We are thrilled to be working on this project with AWS, as it provides the opportunity to deliver a turnkey solution, building on our expertise in delivering complex, multi-faceted projects.
“This particular project enables the team to utilise their expertise in hydraulics, electrical power, air systems, pressure vessels and mooring, delivering an integral piece of equipment for the wave energy sector.”
Dutch move
In other renewables news, the Netherlands’ Celestia Technologies Group is establishing a base in Edinburgh. The company plans to create 18 jobs in a project to develop an antenna to help provide faster internet speeds on aircraft and better links to satellites.
Celestia has received a £2.5-million research and development grant from Scottish Enterprise.
Scotland’s growing space sector was said to be a central factor in Celestia’s decision.
Jose Alonso, chairman of Celestia Technologies, said: “The grant will allow the company to establish a centre of competence in scanning antennas in Scotland. We are delighted to contribute to the knowledge-based jobs creation in the Edinburgh area.”
Picture credit: Malin Group
